Plumose Anemones - Metridium dianthus (formerly M. senile)

A large group of Plumose Anemones have colonised this tide-swept ridge. Plumose anemones – Metridium senile - have the ability to reproduce asexually by either casting sperm and eggs into the surrounding water or by means of budding. This occurs where small individuals develop on the stalk and then break away around the base (as in this picture) once they are able to feed themselves. In a third method, the anemone undergoes a process known as asexual fission where it gradually rearranges its cells and effectively splits in half.

Plumose Anemones - Metridium dianthus (formerly M. senile)

A large group of Plumose Anemones have colonised this tide-swept ridge. Plumose anemones – Metridium senile - have the ability to reproduce asexually by either casting sperm and eggs into the surrounding water or by means of budding. This occurs where small individuals develop on the stalk and then break away around the base (as in this picture) once they are able to feed themselves. In a third method, the anemone undergoes a process known as asexual fission where it gradually rearranges its cells and effectively splits in half.

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St. Abbs Marine Reserve, North Sea

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Plumose Anemones - Metridium dianthus (formerly M. senile)

A large group of Plumose Anemones have colonised this tide-swept ridge. Plumose anemones – Metridium senile - have the ability to reproduce asexually by either casting sperm and eggs into the surrounding water or by means of budding. This occurs where small individuals develop on the stalk and then break away around the base (as in this picture) once they are able to feed themselves. In a third method, the anemone undergoes a process known as asexual fission where it gradually rearranges its cells and effectively splits in half.